MIPD Walks the Walk Blood Drive

The need for a lifesaving blood transfusion occurs once every two seconds in the United States. With this staggering statistic comes the fact that 60% of the population is eligible to donate, yet fewer than 3% actually do. Every contribution matters. The Marco Island Police Department decided to do something about it.

Walking the walk, MIPD had an even busier day than usual as they rolled up their sleeves and hosted their first blood drive in front of the station on Tuesday, August 25, determined to do their part as donors.

OneBlood’s Big Red Bus was pleased to partner up with MIPD for the day. From the initial planning to the execution of the inaugural drive, both groups worked well together.

Officer Ray Leshinger, who helms the Community Oriented Policing Unit, praised the small but dedicated team on the bus and OneBlood’s Account Representative Kristofer Creed. Leshinger had originally met Creed at a wellness fair on the Island, and their talking ultimately led to the drive taking shape.

Leshinger noted that there had been a steady stream of donors going on and off the bus throughout the day, starting promptly at 10:00 AM and running until just after 3:00 PM.

The Big Red Bus team confirmed the consistent donor presence and were elated to state the collection of 18 units of lifesaving blood for the day. The donations directly impact the lives of dozens of patients in need. An average collection is 12, making MIPD’s first drive an impressive bar to be raised in the future.

Creed expressed his desire to collaborate again with MIPD and looks forward to bringing the bus back to Marco Island for more drives in the future.

Donors comprised members of MIPD, City employees, and a few civilian walk-ins. Each donor was given a $20 eGift card, a Big Red Bus t-shirt, and a wellness check-up that included blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening.

“Every donation makes a meaningful difference and helps save lives right here in our community,” said Leshinger.

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, OneBlood serves as a critical healthcare safety net. As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community asset, OneBlood is responsible for providing safe, available, and affordable blood to more than 250 hospital partners and their patients throughout Florida and into areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. To keep this intricate system running seamlessly, OneBlood operates more than 90 donor centers and deploys nearly 250 Big Red Bus bloodmobiles throughout the region.

“For police officers and first responders, the critical need for a stable blood supply is not just an abstract concept—it is a daily reality. These professionals are often the first on the scene of severe accidents and medical emergencies. They see firsthand the trauma and critical injuries that require patients to be rushed to emergency rooms. By hosting this drive and donating themselves, Marco Island’s finest are truly "walking the walk," knowing that the blood given today will be the blood that saves a life tomorrow,” OneBlood’s PR Department stated.

To join the Marco Island Police Department in answering the call, learn more about OneBlood, find a nearby donor center, or schedule an appointment on a Big Red Bus, visit www.oneblood.org.